[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52060-52061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21194]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter 
Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines)

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) titled, ``Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter 
Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines),'' to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.).

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the 
RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the 
day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth 
by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or 
sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-MSHA, Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, Telephone: 202-395-6929/Fax: 202-395-6881 (these are not toll-
free numbers), email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-
4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a 
probable carcinogen that consists of tiny particles present in diesel 
engine exhaust that can readily penetrate into the deepest recesses of 
the lungs. Despite ventilation, the confined underground mine work 
environment may contribute to significant concentrations of particles 
produced by equipment used in the mine. Underground miners are exposed 
to higher concentrations of DPM than any other occupational group. As a 
result, they face a significantly greater risk than other workers do of 
developing such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious 
allergic responses, and other cardiopulmonary problems.
    The DPM regulation established a permissible exposure limit to 
total carbon, which is a surrogate for measuring a miner's exposure to 
DPM. These regulations include a number of other requirements for the 
protection of miners' health. The DPM regulations contain information 
collection requirements for underground metal and non-metal mine 
operators under

[[Page 52061]]

Regulations 30 CFR 57.5060, 57.5065, 57.5066, 57.5070, 57.5071, and 
57.5075(a) and (b)(3).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the 
collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See 
5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this 
information collection under Control Number 1219-0135. The current 
approval is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2012; however, it 
should be noted that existing information collection requirements 
submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they 
undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice 
published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2012 (77 FR 33002).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0135. 
The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter 
Exposure (Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines).
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0135.
    Affected Public: Private sector--businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 173.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 28,022.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 3,329.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $509,532.

    Dated: August 22, 2012.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-21194 Filed 8-27-12; 8:45 a.m.]
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